Norfolk Snowsports Club, in Whitlingham Lane, opened earlier than its usual 1pm start time today so that skiers could make the most of the first snowfall of the winter.

Club manager Deborah Anstee said there was a lot of excitement at the club with people on the slope from about 10am.

She said it was about three or four times busier than normal, although one school cancelled because of difficulties getting there,

“The atmosphere is fairly buzzing. Everyone is very excited,” she said, adding that skiing on real snow was a little bit slipperier than skiing on an artificial slope.

She said the real snow was a great experience for skiers taking part in yesterday’s Sportivate Session, a training event for a schools race event, and that about 20 novice skiers were also due to have their first ever ski lesson tonight.

Ladies Club was also taking place as normal.

And she said people who could not make it to the club today, should still have the chance to enjoy skiing in the snow in the coming days.

“The snow tends to stay on our slope for a while so people should still have the chance to ski in the snow when the roads are clearer and it is easier to get here.”